Applications are invited from qualified Sri Lankan citizens for the Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) under the Merit Stream – 2026. The recruitment is conducted under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

According to Public Administration Circular No. 17/2026, recruitment will be made to 10 vacant posts in Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. Selection will be based on the written examination, seniority evaluation and structured interview.

Vacancies

A total of 10 vacancies are available for recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service under the Merit Stream – 2026.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy one of the following service requirements:

Age Limit

Applicants should be not more than 55 years of age.

Other Important Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must have been confirmed in the relevant service/post.
• A satisfactory service record is required.
• All salary increments should have been earned during the immediately preceding five years.
• Required qualifications must have been completed by 10 August 2026.
• A candidate may not sit this Merit Stream recruitment examination more than three times.
• Officers who retire before the application closing date are not eligible.

Monthly Salary

Other allowances payable to public officers by the Government may also apply.

SLAS Merit Stream Written Examination

The written examination consists of three question papers. Candidates must sit all three papers and obtain the prescribed minimum marks.

1. General Intelligence

This paper assesses analytical skills, logical comprehension, interpretation ability, application of knowledge to different situations and the ability to arrive at conclusions using numerical, linguistic and figurative structures. The paper consists of multiple-choice questions.

2. Establishments Code & PSC Procedural Rules

This paper assesses knowledge of the Establishments Code and the Procedural Rules of the Public Service Commission. It may include multiple-choice, short-answer, structured essay and essay-type questions.

3. Financial Regulations & Procurement Process

This paper assesses knowledge of Government Financial Regulations and the public procurement process. Multiple-choice, short-answer, structured essay and essay-type questions may be included.

Seniority Marks

A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for seniority.

• 10 marks for each year served in a Supra Class post of the Management Service Officers’ Service.
• 8 marks for each year after completing 20 years of active service for eligible Grade I officers.
• Seniority marks are calculated only for active and satisfactory periods of service.

Interview

The interview process consists of a General Interview and a Structured Interview.

Examination Date and Centre

The SLAS Merit Stream examination is scheduled to be held in November 2026 and will be conducted only in Colombo.

Examination Medium

The examination will be conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Candidates must answer all papers in one language medium, and the selected examination medium cannot be changed after submitting the application.

Examination Fee

Payment can be made using the payment options provided in the online application system, including:

• Bank Credit Card
• Bank Debit Card with online payment facility
• Bank of Ceylon Online Banking
• Bank of Ceylon Teller Slip payment

How to Apply Online

Applications must be submitted online only through the Department of Examinations recruitment examination portal. Online applications will be accepted from 14 August 2026 at 9.00 AM until 14 September 2026 at 9.00 PM.

Download Official SLAS Merit Stream 2026 Circular

Important Dates

Join WhatsApp Group for Government Job Updates

Join our WhatsApp group to receive the latest Sri Lanka Government job vacancies, competitive examinations, application deadlines, admission cards and results updates.

Frequently Asked Questions